Polishing-block for laundry purposes.



N0. 706,967. Patented Aug. I2, I902. M. "LEHMANN. POLISHING BLOCK FOR LAUNDRY PUHPGSES.

(Application filed Aug. 20, 1800.)

(No Model.)

MAX LEHMANN, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

POLISHING-BLOCK FOR LAUNDRY PURPOSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 706,967, dated. August 12, 1902.

Application filed August 20, 1900. Serial No. 27,442. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, MAX LEHMANN, a subject of the King of Prussia, Emperor of Germany, residing at Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Polishin g-Blocks for Laundry Purposes, (for which I have applied for patents in Germany, date d June 8, 1900; in England, dated July 25, 1900';

and covered by a wax-like coating impercepti-- ble to the eye. H it Under my invention I form a grooved laundry-block of a composition of finely-ground talc or steatite, carnauba-waX, beeswax, or the like in about the proportions hereinafter stated, to which an aromatic, such as benzaldehyde or other suitable perfume, may be added.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a suitable form for a laundry-block embodying my invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the block withasingle wedge-shaped groove in one end. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the block with crossed wedge-shaped grooves in one end.

a represents the body of the block, and b a suitable wedge shaped groove in one end thereof.

0, in Fig. 2, represents a second wedgeshaped groove in the same end of the block, crossing the groove 1) at right angles.

Ordinary starched body linen and the like such as collars, cuffs, dad-possesses the wellknown'drawback that after repeated washing itbecomesrubbed and frayed out at the edges,.and when in wearit produces an annoying ,rubbing against the skin, which may cause abrasion and even lead to inflammation by reason of infection. The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback. By means of the polishing-blocks which constitute the subject of my invention the rough edges of the linen or the like are suppressed in a very simple Way, since, on the one hand, the polishing-block presses out the roughness of the edge mechanically, and, on

the other hand, a smooth surface incapable of setting up friction is produced by reason of the deposit of a fine layer of the peculiar material of which the block is composed.

Many difficulties have to be overcome in the production of a material suitable for the purposes of this invention. It must possess a sufficient degree of hardness without being brittle and care must be-taken, further, that the polishing-block does not soil or discolor the linen, since the block is chiefly intended for use on white articles. As the result of many experiments and trials by me in this direction the following mode of manufacture has proved particularly suitable and at the same time gives the most useful form of pol- Iishingblock. The block,which must be composed of fatty substances in order to possess the capability of leaving behind small smooth particles on rubbing, is preferably brought into such a form as to be capable of ready manipulation by hand and is also preferably formed with one or more wedge-shaped cuts or grooves, through which the edge to be polished of the articles of clothing-collars, cuffs,

proper shape adapted to produce thedesired Stearic acid, Japan wax, or the like may be employed as a partial or entire substitute for carnauba-wax, and instead of beeswax ceresin may be used. The proportions of ingredients will depend upon the particular use to which the block is to be put. A mixture of thirty parts carnauba-wax, 9.75 parts beeswax, sixty parts talc, and about 0.25 parts benzaldehyde or other perfume for imparting an agreeable odor has proved of advantage.

I prefer, as above described, to impart to the block such a form that it may be capable of ready manipulation by hand and that the wear of the block shall be regular and uni form. A most convenient form for the block is, that of a longish parallelopipedon with a wedge-shaped groove in one of the rectangular end surfaces. When using the block, it is sufficient to pass it a few times with slight friction along the rough edges of the linen or the like. The roughness of the linen is thus smoothed out without betraying by any external signsoiling, discoloration, or the likethe treatment to which it has been subjected.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A polishing-block for laundry purposes, composed of talc, wax, and an aromatic compound, substantially as set forth.

2. A polishing-block for laundry purposes, composed of powdered tale, carnauba-Wax, beeswax, and an aromatic compound, substantially as set forth.

3. In a block for laundry purposes, a composition consisting fo talc, carnauba-wax and beeswax, substantially as herein described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

MAX LEHMANN.

Witnesses:

HENRY HASPER,

WILLIAM MAYNER.

I V A Mi... 

